I started in your office at 370 in Fall. Have lost 20 so far on my own, next Fri the 14th I start liquid (oh joy!)for surgery on the 27th. I am hoping to lose 15lb on liquid with continuing same gym routine. On surgery day I hope to weigh no more than 335, with enough motivation can I expect to reach my goal of approximately 147lb? I won't hold you to it, but have you experienced patients with that kind of loss with the band? Or should I plan to settle for around 200lb as a like weight?

Without knowing your BMI, it's a little tough to answer this one. As I talk about at the seminar, I would expect you to lose about 50% of your excess weight the first year with another 15% or so over the next couple. But that is an average. As I say at the consult, I truly believe that if you use the band like the tool it is meant to be, I feel you can reach any reasonable goal. I have certainly seen patients lose that much weight but they worked at it. You certainly seem very motivated.